Endless film reel



June 2, H, HElNlS 2,042,599

ENDLES S FILM REEL Filed Aug. 14, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet l June 2, 1936, H. HEINIS ENDLESS FILM REEL Filed Aug. 14, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 w x i Q June 2, 1936. HE|N|$ 2,042,599

ENDLES S I FILM REEL Filed Aug. 14, 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 June 2, 1936. H H g 2,042.599

ENDLESS FILM REEL Filed Aug. 4 14, 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented June 2, 1936 1 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application August 14, 1 933, Serial No. 685,108 s In Switzerland August 18, 1932 and unwound according to the manner indicated and which manner is represented diagrammatically in Fig. 1 of the annexed drawings.

' 1 In this figure the superposed IayersJorming a spiral, are situated in l, whilst the loop, not belonging to the spiral, is situated in 2, the loop passing for example through the projecting devices in the case of-the example cited above.

The device according to the invention is characterized by the fact that it allows the windingup and unwinding of, the band to take place both in the direction where the different parts of the latter pass from the periphery to the centre of the spiral and in the direction where they pass from the centre to the periphery, that is to say, if Fig. 1 is consulted, the movement of the band can as well be effected in the "directionof the arrows 3' as in the direction of the arrows 4.

This device can for example comprise means which, when the direction of the winding-up and unwinding is such that the different parts of the band pass successively from-the centre of thespiral to the periphery of the latter, cause at certain moments a sliding of the exterior spires one upon the other and upon the spires situated nearer the centre, the direction of rotation of the sliding movement being contrary to the direction of rotation given to the spiral in consequence of the winding-up and unwi ding movement of the latter.

The annexed drawings represent a form of execution of the ob ect of the invention, given by way of example:

Fig. 1,'as above stated, is a diagrammatic repre-- sentation of the mannerof winding the endless film band.

Figs. 2 to 7 show diagrammatically the principle of the device.

Fig. 8 is a front view, with one of the cheeks of the bobbin taken away. 7

Figs. 9 and 10 are side views of the bobbin shown in Fig. 8.

Fig; 11 is a perspective view of one part of the control members of the device.

Figure 12 is a view of adetail.

Figure 13 is a perspective view of the device.

In a winding-up and unwinding device of the kind considered, it is usual for the winding-up I members I and unwinding direction of the arrows 3 in Fig. .1, this operation not ofiering any difflculty. Owing to thefact that some of the band is constantly taken away from the centre and that some of it is constantly added to the periphery, the spiral has a tendency to augment in diameter, but by a sliding of the spires one upon the other, it in reality automatically keeps its original dimensions. a

, Such is not the case when the reverseopera tion is executed, in the direction of the arrows 4 y spires are constantly added tothe centre, and some are taken away from the periphery; and the diameter of the spiral has owing to, this fact a tendency to diminish. As this diminution involves a pressing of the spires one against the other and on the core bearing them, a sliding movement is no longer possible and after functioning a short time, the band is blocked.

- The device to be described does away with this impossibility according to the manner rep-' resented in principle in Figs. 2 to 'I of the drawings, in which only a few spires have been represented. 1

The direction of rotation of these spires being that of the arrow 5, the compression of the spiral is prevented in the following way. a

Three drivers 6, I, 8 are distributed in as many points on the periphery of the spiral, for example approximately on the lower semi-circumference of the periphery, supposing the spiral to be upright, in a vertical plane.

Although these members, constituted for example with rollers, are indicated here as three in number, they could also number two only or more than three and be disposed in 'a difierent manner to that, which will be described. But practically, the disposition drawn has turned out to be one of the best when the members 6, I, 8

are placed in such away that one of them, member 6, is situated at the place when the last exterior spire and 8' being situated opposite this spire.

Then while the spiral, mounted on a core not here shown, is turning in the direction of the arrow 5, the first member 6 is applied against the latter (see Fig. 2) The member 6 being a roller, compresses the spires without preventing rotation, but itprevents, on the other hand a relative sliding of the spires one upon another.

Compressed .thus in one point, they will get loose elsewhere, for example in 10. V

At this moment and without relaxing the presoperation to be effected in the 9 leaves the spiral, the other two I likewise against the themember 1 remains 6, the member 1 is pressed spires (see Fig. 3); that is to say the member immediately preceding memher 8 sure on the member the centre and forms becomes larger and more spaced in II. p t

The member 8 can then be withdrawn without any risk oi the loops beingdistributed again on o! the spiral, the member 1 Preventing by its compression any relative sliding of the spires.

But while the member 8 is withdrawn and while of the member 8 ends the operation by raising .the loops ,which have just been formed and which thus over the spiral in the direction oi.

6 continuing a will pass arrow I! (see Fig. 4).

The withdrawal of the memberand the withdrawal of the member 1 being then efl'ected, these loops urged by their willi'all as shown in igs. 5 and 6,

After the withdrawal of member 8, the whole occupies the position indicated in Fig. 7.

- The sliding movement caused by the operations excessive compression on the core.

By repeating the operation number 01 members The rest of this description has been supposed to relate to an endless cinematographic film ence to the axis of the bobbin. In I 8 rollers 28 disposed radially and turning loosely round fixed axes, so as not to oppose any friction resistance laterally to the spires.

be referred to later on.

Three members or rollers 6, 1, 8 are disposed here, as has just beendescribed with reference to Figs. 2 to 7.

applied, the application rollers l5 turning loosely on Their axes, on which they can turn loosely are respectively 28.

The manner oi. acting of rollers 6, 1, 8 been explained, the manner in which controlled is all that scribed. This control, intended to cause the oscillation of levers 2|, 22, law, can be eil'ected in very diiierent ways, a simremain inactive. so as only to be set into motion at the moment 01 the winding-up and unwinding shown in Figs. 9 and 10.

In these figures, the fixed cheek is again shown with its rollers 28 and th that the spires oi the latter have plenty of room mOVBggnt of the film greatly facilitates the-sliding vement oi the spires caused by the rollers 8, 1, 8, it would be ba the long run for a good winding-up cl however in a short time, so as to not to cause a too long slowing-down of the spiral rotation-movement.

The mechanical means causing this movement is screwed are again shown. The axis 3| is the axis driving the driving member l8 bf the Fig. 8, this axis being itself driven by achain not here shown of the cinematographic apparatus and acting on the 75 toothed-wheel 32 either in the one or in the other direction.

The member It, the fixed cheek, the rollers forming the core, etc. have not been represented with a view to simplifying the drawings.

The control of the three levers 2|, 22, 23 is effected bythe three cams 32, 33, 34; by means of the pawl 35, the cams making a whole with the toothed-wheel 3G driven by the toothed-wheel 31. The relation between these two wheels-determines the frequency of the movements of the levers with 33, only .drives the cams in the direction of the arrow 38, corresponding -well, if Figs. 8 to 11 are compared to the direction of rotation of the spiral and an unwinding at the centre, reverse direction the direction of 4i turn a certain angle, bringing position where the double lever to that of the arrow 38.

On the shaft 3| is also mounted a cam formed with a gearing 39 with a pin-wheel the other cams being moreover formed in the same way. This tooth engages a star wheel 40 mounted loosely on the axis 28 but integral with a cam 4|. A double lever 42 terminated at its ends by rollers 43 propped by the curve of the cam isintegral with the axis 28 of the cheek 21,

in a vertical plane by a fixed muff 44.

In the interior of the muff 44, a spring not here shown pushes the pin 43, that is the axis 28 in the arrow 45, that is to say into a position remote from the check 21, with the result that the ends of the double lever 42 are applied against the cam 4!.

Starting from the position represented and in the direction of rotation corresponding to the arrow 38, it will be seen that the pin wheel 39 after having effected nearly one forward turn on the drawing, will penetrate into the space of tooth 46 and will make both the star wheel 40 and the cam rest in the dimples 41, but in the dimples 48. At the next turn of the pin wheel, the latter will drive once again the star wheel 40 by acting upon the face 49 of one of its points, bringing the nobs 50 of the cam under the ends of the double lever which will thus be displaced in the direction of the arrow 5| causing the application of the cheek 21, which is integral with it, against the spiral of the film. But, as soon as the.ends of the double lever reach and exceed a little the nobs 50, the pressure of the double lever onthe inclined faces then presented by the cam causes a rotation of the ,latter, a rotation rendered possible by the greater space of tooth of the star wheel 40 in which the pin wheel is engaged at that moment. Owingto this, the application of the cheek 21 against the spiral occurs only fora short while, rather abruptly.

At the following turn of the cam 39, the operations described recommence, by the introduction .many of controlling the levers and which will therefore be more this axis not being able to turn, being guided by a pin 43 maintained winding said and means for '42 will no longer Y heel into the space of tooth of the 40 opposite to the space of tooth 46.

of the pin star wheel If the working of the device is reversed, in spite of the levers 6, 1, '8 becoming inactive, able cheek will effect its movements which can but facilitate the winding-up and unwinding of the film, whatever. may be the direction of this movement.

1 It is evident that the regulating of the movemerits of the cheek, so that they should occur in one direction immediately after the action or the levers 6, 1, 8 is only a matter of regula ion to be provided at the fitting up. i

It is also evident that the example which has just been described is only one possibility among the cheek. mechanics offering many and diverse means of effectuating this control.

- Finally, it is to be remarked that, both as regards the control of the levers and that of the cheek, it is suitable to provide an'elastic transmission of the movements. s

For the levers, this is s ferent lengths are to be used and the spiral of or less thick. Elastic members inserted in the control device will allow, whilst keeping a real constant a plitude of the control, for the band not to be crushed if the thickness of the spiral should not allow the levers a displacement corresponding to this full amplitude.

For the cheek, an elastic application of the latter against the lateral face of the spiral would, from every point of view, be preferable, to a non elastic application. A

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States oi America is:-

1. A device for winding endless bands such as cinematograph films and the like in which a loop is disposed outside of the device comprising means coiled band with the layers thereof in superposed spiral relation, means for table if bands of difunwinding the same from the at spaced points alternately in a direction tending approximately towards the center of the band so that a sliding, of the exterior spirals another and upon the spirals situated nearer the co ter may occur contrary to the direction of rot ion of said band in unwinding the same.

2. A device for winding endless bands such as cinematograph films and the like in which a loop is disposed outside of the device comprising means for supporting .'a coiled band with the layers thereof in superposed spiral relation, means for winding said bands at the center thereof and unwinding the same from the periphery thereof, a plurality of pivoted rotary compressing elements located so as to act against the exterior spirals of said band and means for operating said rotary for operating said with the unthe movcompressing the outermost spirals of said band towards approximately the of the band in unwinding the same.-

5. A device for winding endless bands such as movable cheek contacting one edge of skid band 45 15. A device for winding endless bands such cinematograph films and the like in which a loop is disposed outside 01' the device comprising a fixed cheek, a plurality of core for saidv band mounted a movable cheek reciprocating towards and own! w from one edge oi. and band when said core, a plurality of oscillating levers disposed about the external spirals of said band, compressing means mounted upon said levers, means for alternately urging saidcompressingmeansagainst the'external layers of said spiral to urge the same is disposed outside of the device comprising a holder for said band, means for unwinding said band from said holder either from the center of said spiral or from the periphery of said spiral, means for preventing locking of said band when said bandis unwound from the periphery thereof, means for intermittently aligning the spirals of said band in superposed relation and means controlled by said unwinding means controlling the operation of said last named means and said means for preventing blocking.

1'1. A device for winding endless bands such as cinematograph films and the like in which a loop so is disposed outside of the device comprising a means controlled by' said holder for said band having a fixed cheek and a reciprocating cheek, means for unwinding said band from either the periphery thereof or the center thereof, means for preventing blocking of said band at the center thereof when the band is unwound from the periphery thereof and means controlled by said unwinding means'ior lntermittently reciprocating said movable cheek and intermittently operating said means for preventing blocking. v Y

18. A device for winding endless bands such as cinematograph films and the like in which a loop is disposed outside of. the device comprising a fixed cheek, a series of rollers mounted upon said cheek constituting a core for said band, means for unwinding said band from either the periphery or the center of said spiral, a plurality of pivoted levers disposed around the periphery of said band, compression means carried by said levers for compressing the external spirals or said band towards approximately the center of said spiral; means for alternately operating said compressing means in a certain predetermined sequence, a. movable cheek reciprocating towards and away from said fixed cheek so as to align the spirals of said band in superposed relation unwinding means tor controlling the reciprocations or said movable cheek and rythm of said compressing means.

and v 

